Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
Traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America? The city is known for its year-round sunny weather, luxury resorts, championship golf courses, and vibrant nightlife.
Scottsdale is also home to a number of museums and cultural attractions. If you're planning to go to Scottsdale, we've got some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Scottsdale
- Important essentials for Scottsdale
- Activities for Scottsdale
- Scottsdale in January: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in February: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in March: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in April: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in May: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in June: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in July: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in August: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in September: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in October: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in November: weather and what to pack
- Scottsdale in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
Based on the climate and weather in Scottsdale, the best time to go is October; however, when you go is dependent on what your interests area. Golfing is best from November to April. See below for details.
Important essentials for Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Scottsdale, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 ESSENTIALS
-
N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection possible.
-
Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly product.
-
A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards can wear away. An unreadable vaccine card may result in severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.
-
Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
-
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination/negative test
-
Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
-
Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks are not available for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
Other health necessities
Don't forget these
-
Plug adapter
For non U.S. residents, you will need plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should be sufficient for most countries, but you should check with your hotel.
-
Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
-
Airplane or car necessities
-
For families with young children
-
Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
-
Photography accessories
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
Activities for Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Scottsdale.
If you go to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:
-
Comfy walking shoes
-
Small portable cooler
Save money on drinks with this portable cooler.
-
Ultralight day pack
Like this, so you don't have to lug around a heavy suitcase.
We also recommend these top tours in and around Scottsdale.
Grand Canyon day tour
If you haven't seen the grand canyon, take this tour for an easy day trip.
ATV Tour in the Sonoran Desert
For a great adventure, you can't miss with an ATV tour in the desert
Phoenix Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise
Don't miss this once in a lifetime way to see the sun rise over the desert. A balloon ride offers breathtaking panoramic views.
What to wear/what to pack for Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you vacation in Scottsdale during January, you may see that it is balmy and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 60s F (high 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 30s F (single digits C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Warm pants or jeans
-
Jacket or coat
-
Light gloves or mittens
-
Lip balm
In our opinion, the best is: here
-
Extra socks
-
Fleece
-
Standard footwear
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We suggest rain boots:
-
Rain pants
Rain pants can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags don't get wet. We recommend:
-
Resort or golf wear
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
February
February in Scottsdale is mild and dry with little rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Extra socks
-
Light gloves or mittens
-
Warm pants or jeans
-
Fleece
-
Lip balm
In our opinion, the best option: this one
-
Jacket or coat
-
Standard footwear
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Windproof umbrella
This one is a great option.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your suitcases remain dry. We recommend:
-
Resort or golf wear
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
March
If you vacation in Scottsdale during March, you will probably notice that it is a perfect temperature and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 40s F (single digits C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain sometimes.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We recommend rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be vital in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things remain dry. We suggest:
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
April
If you go to Scottsdale in April, you will notice that it is extremely warm and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you cool and guard against UV rays:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
May
May here is sizzling and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures average in the 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Sunglasses
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are created for cooling and can provide UV protection.
-
Skirts
-
Light linen shorts
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are created to help you stay cool:
-
Sun protecting legwear
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Bug repellent
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Make sure pack extra, as these are likely to get wet or dirty.
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
June
Traveling to Scottsdale in June, you will notice that it can be excruciatingly hot and very dry with almost no rain. Daytime temperatures are in the low 100s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Sarong
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
UV protecting pants/skirts
These will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insects are a problem here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Light skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
July
If you vacation in Scottsdale during July, you might notice that it is sizzling and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 100s F (low 40s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain occasionally.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Light skirts
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Insects can be an issue here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Protecting legwear
These will keep your legs safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Sarong
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These are essential in a rainstorm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your things don't get wet. We suggest:
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
August
If you vacation in Scottsdale during August, you might find that it is sizzling and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 100s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 70s F (mid 20s C). In terms of precipitation, you can expect it to rain once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Sarong
-
Protecting pants/skirts
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Thin tank or crop tops
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and guard against the sun:
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Light skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insects may be a problem here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
A rain poncho to layer with a jacket
-
100% waterproof footwear
We use rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be vital in a storm.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is an excellent choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your bags remain dry. We recommend:
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
September
If you are traveling to Scottsdale in September, you will notice that it is a scorcher and dry with little rain. Expect it to rain sometimes. Daytime temperatures are in the high 90s F (high 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light linen shorts
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Personal cooling fan
-
UV protecting pants
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are created for cooling and can provide UV protection.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are specially designed for cooling:
-
Skirts
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Be sure pack additional, since these are likely to get wet or dirty.
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
A rain coat to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These can be vital in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Wind resistant umbrella
This one is a perfect one to buy.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. We recommend:
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
October
If you are traveling to Scottsdale in October, you will notice that it is consistently hot and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can make you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
Skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
November
If you visit Scottsdale during November, you are likely to find that it is warm and dry with little rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sandals
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Light skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Extra socks
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Resort or golf necessities
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
December
December for Scottsdale is mild and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the high 60s F (high 10s C) during the day. It rains sometimes.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Fleece
-
Light gloves or mittens
-
Jacket or coat
-
Extra socks
-
Warm pants or jeans
-
Lip balm
In our opinion, the best is: here
-
Standard footwear
-
A rain poncho to layer with a coat
-
100% waterproof footwear
We like these rain boots:
-
Rain pants
These will be essential in heavy rain.
-
Waterproof phone bag
-
Umbrella
This one is a perfect choice.
-
Waterproof bag/luggage cover
So your belongings remain dry. We recommend:
-
Resort or golf wear
If you're going golfing, or if you're walking around the resort:
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